What exactly IS an open mic?

[iceshaft07]

I am going to write that I am probably irrationally upset right now, but I need to get this out of me. I am pissed and depressed at the same time.

I went to an open mic 4 hours ago. I signed up, and was expecting to play something I wrote.

I should clarify that this is an open mic blues jam. I figured it would have been a bunch of random people playing blues songs (you'll understand the misunderstanding soon).

I met a guy there who introduced me to the manager who sets everything up. I said that I knew bass solo's were a no-no, but I was going to do one. He said that was fine and that bass and drum solo's happen.

After I the band that I had no idea was going to play, and about 2 hours of waiting for the open mic to start, it finally started.

After realizing that everyone was playing happy songs, I told the owner to not to call me on stage just yet because I didn't want to spoil the mood (i was going to play a sad blues song I wrote). I ran back to get my electric bass because everyone was playing happy blues songs (which I had expected there would be a mix).

After some more time, I realized that there were people on stage who didn't play in a band together playing songs together-- cover songs.

Another amount of time rolls by and the manager asked me to come on stage to play. When I realized the entire band was still on stage, I told him that I couldn't play with a band. He said not to worry it was just Mustang Sally (I've seen it talked about on these forums, but I don't know the song). I said I didn't know Mustang Sally, I asked him what key it was in. He said E. I then asked someone else what the chord progression was, and they said E A B. I was waiting for the band to start. He then asked me to start the song. I stared at him confused. I asked what the tempo was, and started chugging Es As and Bs hoping to god that just playing root notes would save my ass.

It was obviously wrong, it was like a 6 bar E 1 bar A and 1 bar B progression. After he realized that I was still staring at him confused waiting for the band to jump in, he finally asked me if I could do the song and I said no. So he finally got the first band bassist to play (who was fortunately right there).

I'm sorry, for ranting but I feel that somewhere along the line, someone could have told me that it was not what I thought it was. I mean, I didn't need to be on stage to prove that I didn't know what was going on. I mean, I told him I was going to solo, I told him I didn't know the song, I asked what the key was, what the chord changes were, why couldn't he have put it together? I mean, I thought I was clear with what I was going to do.

When all the lights came on I had finally accepted that after the blues rotate through random players thing there was no open mic and that I was not going to play.

Whats worse the manager said something that upset me. As I gave the other bassist the cord, he said 'watch and learn'.

Now, I will admit that I am no phenomenal player of any sort, I have been playing 2 years and 4 months now. I would have screwed up mustang sally, no doubt, i had no idea where the drum breaks were, and I know he probably didn't mean it the way I took it, but it just pisses me off to not be given a chance and to be written off as dumb. I mean, I was smart enough to know I shouldn't have attempted to play the song. Even so, I feel that if I had listened to the first musical phrase I probably would have been able to play along minus the drum breaks.

Anyhow, I am sorry about ranting. I try not to do it, but 4 hours of waiting and I got nothing out of it (i did get stuff, just not what I wanted).

[James Hart]

that is why, like internet forums, I lurk a time or 2 to get a feel for the atmosphere. I generally don't even let on that I play on my first visit.

[CincyBassMan]

Well iceshaft, you didn't go to an "open mic" you were at a blues jam. Two totally different things! You should look for a songwriter's open mic. That's where you can get up solo and do your thing!

See, blues jams are all about groups of people getting up and jamming on blues covers. Nobody gets up solo, too many people there to get up and play! I understand your anger and flustration, but you didn't know...

Don't let this deter you from getting out and playing your songs! But James' advice is sound, lay back & check out the environment before you jump!

Good luck to you!
Russ

[cutthroatmolloy]

they probably thought you meant you were going to solo during the song or something.

[RED5]

Originally Posted by James Hart

that is why, like internet forums, I lurk a time or 2 to get a feel for the atmosphere. I generally don't even let on that I play on my first visit.

Solid +1. I advise newcomers at our O/M to sit one out, see what transpires,see if you want a shot. all "Open Mics" as with "Blues Jams" are not created equal. i might add it seems like the manager handled it badly, not listening to what you were saying, is akin to not listening to what you're playing.

[eotpr]

There is a blues jam here where the host band plays all night and the people from the audience come and replace or augment their band. It sounds like that is what you got into. It can be a lot of fun if you are prepared. Being caught off guard like that is a bummer. Funny I have always played Mustang Sally in A. I would have been thrown off a bit by that too.

[chroma601]

Geez, we play Mustang Sally in C. Guess we should wait and see what transposes...

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by iceshaft07

I should clarify that this is an open mic blues jam. I figured it would have been a bunch of random people playing blues songs (you'll understand the misunderstanding soon).

Well that's your first mistake - if it's clearly labelled a Blues Jam, then I think most people would expect what you described - people jamming together - and the open mic part, means you are invited to join in with this.

As I gave the other bassist the cord, he said 'watch and learn'.

Well... he was right - that's what you should have done first - as has been said :

Originally Posted by James Hart

that is why, like internet forums, I lurk a time or 2 to get a feel for the atmosphere. I generally don't even let on that I play on my first visit.

[Blueszilla]

Hey at least you gave it a shot. This is called 'experience', and that's a good thing. I'll agree with CincyBassMan said so well. No reason to get upset, it's so hard to communicate with folks, even if we're speaking the same language. Just try again.

[mjolnir]

+1 to everything so far. This kind of situation is to be expected at a "blues jam", but now you know that, so you'll be more prepared in the future.

If it makes you feel any better, I have no idea how to play Mustang Sally either. Hell, I don't even think I've heard it except in brief passing.

[51m0n]

Originally Posted by chroma601

Geez, we play Mustang Sally in C. Guess we should wait and see what transposes...

+1 Like the Wilson Picket version off of Definitive Sounds (but I inadvertantly funk it up a bit )

[WJGreer]

Whats worse the manager said something that upset me. As I gave the other bassist the cord, he said 'watch and learn'.

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

Well... he was right - that's what you should have done first - as has been said :

Based solely on the context, I don't think the manager meant "watch and learn" in the same sense that the other poster meant it. It sound like was a rude dig, intended to make the OP feel inferior, and not at all cool in my opinion.

EDIT: OP, I checked your profile; it looks like you are on the old side of young (I mean this warmly, not critically). I think that to discourage a young player from participating in the musical community as the manager here seems to have done is very poor behavior indeed. Please keep at it.

[mb94952]

Blues Jams are boring !! It's a guitar players forum, and the bass player has to bear with two or more guitar players hogging the stage with their drawn out 15 minute solos.

I, personally, like the open mics that YOU expected -- a songwriter's forum. Usually, they are stripped down gear wise. You just bring a bass, and maybe a combo, if I remember correctly. You might just plug into the PA.

Also, don't worry about changing the mood. Just play what you want to play. It's more satisfying to you, and the audience likes an artist who is true to their belliefs. I played open mics with my friend Paul. He sang and played guitar. It was really fun. Our stuff was out there, and we liked it, and the audience did, too !!

You might have to do as the other guy said, which is just go to one without signing up, and just check it out. Most places, depending on the demographics, have their niche. Good luck, and HAVE FUN !!

[Bofee]

As much of a CF these type of jams tend to be, they are a good way to learn to play on the fly.

[bkbirge]

Learn the standard 12 bar blues progression and go back. You'll have a blast. Don't feel too bad, we've most all had moments like this. Just make sure you put the experience to good use.

[kesslari]

Learn the standard 12 bar blues progression and go back. You'll have a blast. Don't feel too bad, we've most all had moments like this. Just make sure you put the experience to good use.

Big +1

A very experienced and wise cat, with many high level gigs and recordings to his credit, once told me

"It's all practice. That hugely important gig, or audition, is actually just practice for the NEXT hugely important gig or audition, and so on. If it goes well - great, you were practicing how to do it well. Cool. If it goes poorly, it's not the end of the world, it was just practice, and you learned a thing or two about what *not* to do next time.

Good advice, and very freeing. Go back, jam, get some experience having fun interacting musically with others in a simple format.
Have fun.

[ksandvik]

Yes, the trick is not to take open mics and jam sessions as something serious, just have fun and learn. --Kent

[Sir Edward V]

Why would someone use an open mic? There wouldn't be any sound coming from it if it were open...

[uber_goober]

Hey iceshaft, don't worry about it too much. It's in the past. As folks have said, there are basically two "types" of open mics...the jam type...and then the singer-songerwriter type. I generally only frequent the latter, and that usually means coffee houses and other "folk" type of venues. I personally really dig the right type of coffee shop open mic; you can just play your thing. Of course, you also have to deal with the occasional bad poetry from other folks.

[ksandvik]

Originally Posted by uber_goober

Hey iceshaft, don't worry about it too much. It's in the past. As folks have said, there are basically two "types" of open mics...the jam type...and then the singer-songerwriter type. I generally only frequent the latter, and that usually means coffee houses and other "folk" type of venues. I personally really dig the right type of coffee shop open mic; you can just play your thing. Of course, you also have to deal with the occasional bad poetry from other folks.

Yep. Plus tons of guitar songwriters writing songs about bad relationships :-). With untuned guitars. Sometimes they know how to sing into a microphone.

Anyway, there's also the option sometimes in open mics to provide background comp, so you might have a job playing bass for songs -- however, any insecure performers tend to say no for such work, while seasoned musicians appreciate if someone helps them out on stage.

--Kent